Manziel, despite his enormous talent, wasn’t a clean pick — and fell as many as 20 spots because of it. You don’t have a career like Manziel did at Texas A&M; you don’t have maybe the best Pro Day workout in the history of Pro Day workouts, and fall out of the top 20 picks unless there are issues that have nothing to do with the way you throw the ball or read a defense.

Manziel suffered through the agony of the fall on Thursday night, and Florida State star QB Jameis Winston might be headed for the same fate. An early look at 20 players to watch for the 2015 NFL Draft:

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QB Jameis Winston, Florida State

He’s not the lock franchise quarterback you think he is, and will get picked apart by scouts (fair or not). His problems off the field will be a bigger issue than a slow release on it. No matter how trivial you think Winston’s issues are, NFL teams aren’t spending millions in the hope that past performance isn’t the indicator of future reliability. Remember, risk management. The only exception: a franchise, can’t-miss quarterback. Winston doesn’t fit that mold, and Manziel didn’t either. That’s why Cam Newton’s issues were overlooked.

I still contend had Mariota not dinged his knee, and Oregon won games it should have won with a healthy Mariota and played in the BCS National Championship Game (big ifs, I know), Mariota would have been the first quarterback — and maybe even the first player — in the 2014 draft. He’s that good, and has that much ability (throwing, running, leadership). If he stays healthy and has a big season in 2014, he’ll be the first player taken in the 2015 draft.

A thin class at defensive end — specifically, rush ends — in 2014 could translate to a loaded class in 2015. Gregory may have made a mistake by not leaving early, and now must perform at the same level in a season when teams will game plan more to slow him down.

Another in a long line of self-made stars from Michigan State. Few programs develop on defense like the Spartans (and DC Pat Narduzzi), and Calhoun — an overlooked project — has developed into the best pass rusher in college football.

Ogbuehi should make it three straight years for an Aggies offensive lineman to be selected in the first 10 picks of the draft. Now, the kicker: he has more raw talent than both Luke Joeckel (No. 2 overall in 2013) and Jake Matthews (No. 6, 2014), but isn’t nearly as polished as those two at this point in his career.

Nagging injuries are going to be an issue for any running back; they only have so many carries in the tank. When healthy, you can make an argument for Gurley as the game’s best player. He has to prove he can stay healthy and produce — and he could move into the first-half of the first round. If not, the trend will continue: the NFL isn’t taking running backs with high picks (not one was taken in the first round Thursday).

On physical attributes, durable frame and numbers alone, he’s the safest quarterback on the board. But he has struggled with accuracy in big games, and he plays in a quarterback-friendly system. Then again, last year was his first season as a starter. Wait and see how much better he gets in Year 2 under coach Art Briles.

The two most scrutinized draft positions outside the quarterback: the left tackle and the rush end. Both are critical to the passing game — and both can lead to draft day runs when teams panic to land one. Peat arrived at Stanford as an elite high school player, and has improved with every season. Could work his way all the way into the top five with a big season.

His frame is big enough to carry 300-plus to play on the interior, but he’s also strong and quick enough to play an anchor end in the NFL. USC has used him in multiple spots on the line to simply put him in the best position to affect the offense.

Another athletic, physical rush end who could work his way into the first 15 picks of the draft. Numerous scouts told me Jadeveon Clowney playing in the SEC was a factor in solidifying his draft stock.

If one thing should motivate Cooper this fall, it’s the fall of Marqise Lee. There was no better receiver in the college game in 2012, then he got dinged in 2013, his numbers dropped and he fell out of the first round. Cooper had a huge freshman season, then regressed as a sophomore. Time for a big junior season.

May have the best upside of any quarterback in this class. Needs more polish as a thrower, but has the arm strength and skills. A threat in the run game (think Colin Kaepernick), and is a high character guy.

Clearly, the most stocked position in the 2015 draft. Iowa offensive linemen have been, for the most part, solid picks in the draft. Scherff is a mauler and might be the most complete (run and pass block) lineman in the draft.

He’s a bit undersized, and he’s not going to be aggressive in run support, but what do you really need from a lockdown corner? Superior cover skills could make him the first corner picked in the draft.

A sleeper of sorts — at least, to the general fan. NFL scouts love his size and quick feet. Strong interior linemen, when available, always go high in the draft. It’s a need position.

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DE Cedric Reed, Texas

There may not be another player on the Texas squad who will benefit more from new coach Charlie Strong — whose defense revolves around pressure off the edge. He will be one of the most improved (and he’s already among the nation’s elite) players in the country in 2014.

Still somewhat undersized (285 pounds) to an NFL interior lineman, but has the frame to put on weight and play inside. A late bloomer of sorts (developed into a consistent starter in 2013) with the perfect nasty streak to play inside.